What are the recommended immunizations by age?

A:

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Between birth and age 15 months, children should receive the hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, poliovirus, varicella and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children in this age group should also receive the vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and for Haemophilus influenzae type B and pneumococcal polysaccharide. In addition, children in this age bracket should receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and an annual flu vaccine beginning at age 6 months.

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Between 18 months and 18 years of age, children should receive a third dose of the hepatitis B vaccine as well as the fourth and fifth doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, reports the CDC. Between 11 and 12 years of age, children should receive the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine. Children in this age bracket should also receive their third and fourth doses of the poliovirus vaccine as well as their second dose of both the varicella and measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.

Depending on when a child received his hepatitis A vaccine, additional doses of the vaccine may be necessary between the ages of 18 months and 18 years, explains the CDC. Children in this age group should also receive three doses of the human papillomavirus vaccine. Children should receive their first dose of the meningococcal vaccine between 11 and 12 years of age as well as a booster shot in the teenage years. Children in this age group should also obtain an annual flu vaccine.